Worry For Toon Fans Heading To Ukraine

20 February 2013 01:49

NU-Mad reporter - Dennis Taylor - is on his was to the Ukraine, but already there has been a problem.

Dennis set off last night (with 11 others) on the train from Newcastle to Peterborough, then they changed train to go to Stansted.

He arrived in Istanbul in Turkey at 5.30am, saying: "It's dragging, couldn't get any kip, and some of the lads - not the ones in our group - are rather pissed and things have already kicked off.

"There was a scuffle with two Turks in a toilet in the airport, and some Toon fans are making a scene.

"It's not good, Some are acting like idiots. The barman has just called security. I just want to get to Kharkiv and get away from these idiots."

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Fears have been raised for the safety of travelling Toon fans making their way to Ukraine.

Metalist Kharkiv were at the centre of a race storm prior to the Euro 2012 competition.

Last year, Indian students watching a match in the Kharkiv stadium were attacked by fellow Metalist fans. TV cameras filmed the incident. Ex-England star Sol Campbell said the 2012 competition should not have been awarded to Poland and Ukraine because of entrenched racism and violence.

The former England captain's advice to fans is to "stay home, watch it on TV. don't even risk it".

Now Olivier Bernard, an ambasador for the Tyneside-based Show Racism The Red Card, says the Toon stars and fans could face racial abuse if they make the 2,000-mile trip.

The former defender was booed and spat at when he played for Newcastle at Dynamo Kyiv in 2002.

He said: "It is a problem for their football. Their fans are not that much of diversity. It is a difficult place to go. It is a decision that has got to be taken by an individual, but I hope it won’t stop you from going to see your favourite team."